CaveGirl

I think seeing any film with Barbara Stanwyck can be life changing due to her ability to so assume and take on the skin of the characters she is playing and give them humanity. Not such a bad hobby that you acquired after watching "The Lady Eve" I must say, Eugenia!

You make a good point, Sepia that movies should be an accessory to life and not the main object. In the book, in which I ripped off my thread idea, the point was not so much about a total alteration of one's life, but a movie which perhaps changed one's viewpoint on ideas or whatever or had a deep impact. I remember "Bambi" was mentioned, due to its very realistic depiction of the forest life and dangers surrounding it. Thanks for your input!

There are those who make pejorative statements about people going "off topic" on this message board, to their detriment if I do say so being that some of the most interesting movies are those which also veer off topic from their originally and ostensible topic matter. For example, what movie is more off topic in its development than "My Dinner with Andre". But if one follows the completely off topic conversation, and is cognizant of its many diversions then it is one of the most enthalling movies of all time, mentally and otherwise. Often one is not interested in topics of which one is negligent in knowledge of, and that's the rub. Admittedly a movie speaking about string theory might be a bit above my level of knowledge, but hopefully I would try to acquire some and then watch it again. But happily, I've gone off topic of my own topic, which is the idea of course, since only the best conversationalists have the ability to go off topic and make analogies to other things. So now being back on topic, name a movie which goes off topic considerably in its presentation. Much thanks for any contributions.

You are so right and I do apologize. Why denigrate a car that was ahead of its time, even if it did have a suggestive grille in comparison to a nescient noirhead?

I think I've seen every version of this play. It is too bad that TCM cannot show it as it is well worth watching. Though the Dustin Hoffman version is well acted he seemed a bit too young for the part, but did his best. Seeing Lee J. Cobb's version from television, showcased the differences between his characterization and that of the 1951 movie, with Frederic March who did chew up the scenery a bit. It would be great though on a double bill on TCM with the Maysles documentary from Criterion called "Salesman": United States 1968 91 minutes Black and White 1.33:1 English Spine #122 A landmark American documentary, Salesman captures in vivid detail the bygone era of the door-to-door salesman. While laboring to sell a gold-embossed version of the Good Book, Paul Brennan and his colleagues target the beleaguered masses—then face the demands of quotas and the frustrations of life on the road. Following Brennan on his daily rounds, the Maysles discover a real-life Willy Loman, walking the line from hype to despair.

When one has no idea of the career of Ann Sothern, beyond one film noir movie, then it is revealing as to their movie knowledge in general, Down. The Edster sounds like the human version of the Edsel, and we know that was a failure!

Obviously I ripped off this idea from the book of yore, which was called "The Movie Which Changed My Life" or something like that which I read a while back. The premise was that many people have a film which sticks in their mind for some reason and either provokes later behaviour or choices or is mentally efficacious to their development. Now if Thoreau was here he might dismiss this as degenerate fodder for entertainment, or he might compare it to his search for the best in literature to sustain and educate. But however it is seen, there are films which sometimes have a revelatory effect on viewers and this is the place to profess such. For some it is a simple career choice moment, as in one seeing "The Red Shoes" in their youth might be predisposed to entering the ballet profession. I have many films to consider, so need to meditate and reconfirm my choices. Please submit and if you are so wont, express your reasons. Thanks in advance!

Loved your post and its theme plus your research on a rather unknown topic, Spence which was most interesting! I have only one criticism, my friend Monica says that Bill Clinton's favorite film is: Little Cigars (1973)PG | 1h 32min | Comedy, Crime, Drama | June 1973 (USA) A gangster's former mistress hooks up with a troupe of circus midgets who, as a sideline, rob banks and casinos. Director: Chris Christenberry Writers: Louis Garfinkle, Frank Ray Perilli Stars: Angel Tompkins, Billy Curtis, Jerry Maren

I can understand this predilection for eyes that seem to be focusing on the same subject, Dargo. I had a nun once with eyes like Feldman and no one in class could ever tell if she was asking them a question. I do like Marty more than Corey Feldman though.

Let's not put Muller into the same category of expertise on a subject, as Feinstein. Muller didn't even know who Ann Sothern was at one of his symposiums.

Down, the Columbia Record Club wants that Stetson hat back that you got with your membership for the Lloyd Price and Slim Whitman Collections! Stagger Lee's more violent lyrics as done by Lloyd Price: "The night was clear And the moon was yellow And the leaves came tumbling down I was standing on the corner When I heard my bulldog bark He was barkin' at the two men who were gamblin' In the dark It was Stagger Lee and Billy Two men who gambled late Stagger Lee threw seven Billy swore that he threw eight Stagger Lee told Billy I can't let you go with that You have won all my money and my brand new Stetson hat Stagger Lee went home And he got his forty-four Said, I'm goin' to the barroom just to pay that Debt I owe Stagger Lee went to the barroom And he stood across the barroom door He said, nobody move and he pulled his Forty-four Stagger Lee, cried Billy Oh, please don't take my life I've got three little children and a very Sickly wife Stagger Lee shot Billy Oh, he shot that poor boy so bad 'Till the bullet came through Billy and it broke the bartender's glass"

"unctuous", Dargo??? Youu uused a word with three "uuu's, superfluous or not? Uuunbelievable!

Down, we have in our family 45 record collection, the original version of "Stagger Lee" with the more violent lyrics. It's a little beat up and has ring wear but still plays well. Does this count for anything or any free memberships to anything gratis, courtesy of you?

I can definitely go with this choice. I have read no other responses so far concerning his knowledge of classic films or other issues. My contention has always been that the host be either very knowledgeable about films or be a very intelligent person who can discuss films. On this count, having seen Feinstein discussing his knowledge of music and the history of said subject, I am sure that he will make a most excellent choice as a host for a complementary subject, whether it is his main avenue of entertainment expertise or not. This is a person with an appreciation for fine work of the past no matter in what direction it takes him and he is also one to collect and research things with aplomb and mental sophistication. Bravo, TCM! Now on to read what others here have to say about this topic...

Nuff said, James.

Let's face it, Eddie never gave a bad performance probably. It really is impossible to pick just one of his performances but your three choices are top drawer, James!

I love Dick Tracy because I love Jack Holt. Every time I see Holt, all I can think of is how Chester Gould based his profile for Dick on Holt's rather prognathous jaw. Thanks for the update, TB!

I can help you with this. Get on the Movies Unlimited website and order something from them, no matter how small of a movie purchase. I can assure you that you will immediately be on their mailing list. Or do the same with the TCM site and order a movie. You can do it online or call them and order something. They will both take your name and address and put you on the mailing list pronto. Good luck!

Oh, that is a fabulous choice, Sepia! I'd forgotten how satirical that one was and it fits right into my theme, thanks.

Hmmm, Eric? Do you think I was subliminally affected by current events.

Good one, Dargo! I enjoyed that movie immensely for the reasons you noted. Thanks.

"Shuttle driver gigs"??? Are you the chauffeur or the millionaire who is hiring the chauffeur? It will make a lot of difference in how I treat you from now on, for me to know that, Dargo. If the latter, no more excess "u"s will I be posting! Have a safe and fun trip and know you will be missed inordinately by all I am so sure. Well, most at least.

Ooooh! He is so great in that, FL. I'll have to watch it again; thanks for adding it to the list.

No offense, but to quibble about this seems kind of petty, Cathy or Kenton. I can see your point if I look at the film as a literal story about an American farm family, but this film is on a bigger scale in a mythic way and needs that scene to solidify Shane's influence on the child, and the goodness in Shane in not wanting to create a hero-worship belief in little Joey, that if the parents were around to see, would be utterly lost. Shane's concern for Joey to love his parents more than him, is the reason for the ending.

Slayton, your post illustrating the beauty of the movie, "Shane" was so well said. To downgrade a film for the search for perfection that George Stevens put into it, is anathema. In my opinion, he was out to create a myth and a mythic character, and he did so with Shane. The film is different from a John Ford film, in that Stevens uses all his skills learned over his years in filmmaking, to create almost a fairy tale. The blond knight errant who has come to rescue those suffering the slings of a vicious villain, but who refuses to use his well honed skills to kill, until it is absolutely necessary, even forsaking a fear of being thought a coward, is to me the backbone of the film. The funeral scene is so tantalizingly directed that even a shot of the dog pawing at the ground, makes one feel it is acknowledging the loss of the human being buried, plus the funeral scene encompasses good, bad, time, birth and death and everyday life with the village in the background. Waiting for the deer to raise its head, to frame the arrival of the hero might not be the usual way of most western directors, but George Stevens had his own vision and this film is its result. There are gestures which detail the impossible love between Shane and Joey's mother, that even Joey picks up on, but once Shane has succumbed to the necessary violence, he knows his mission is ended and he must leave. A beautiful film well deserving of its fame and legendary status to those willing to look into its vision. Thanks for such a wonderful exposition and the reference to the Duchamp goatee meaning on the Mona Lisa was a masterful analogy!